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2012 volkswagen jetta Model Overview

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There’s not much new to report on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Brand-new for the 2011 model year, the 2012 Jetta features a couple new options, and a few new option packages. For 2012 Volkswagen has bundled up some of its more requested standalone options, into packages. The new packages include a Sunroof Package, and a Convenience Package. A newly available option for the 2012 model year across all Jettas is a Fender-branded and Panasonic-developed audio system.

The Jetta continues to be offered with three engine options for 2012. The base 2.0-liter I-4 produces a meager 115 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. The next engine up the food chain is the 2.5-liter I-5 cranking out 170 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque that sees duty across Volkswagen’s lineup. The last available engine is the torquey and fuel-efficient 140-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 with 236 lb-ft of torque, that’s capable of an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway.

Although the Jetta shows signs of cost savings in the interior (hard plastics, and cheap fabrics are abundant) it’s still a fairly decent place to be. The Jetta offers amenities like satellite navigation and satellite radio, and is plenty roomy for passengers both in the front, and rear.

With the introduction of the Jetta GLI this year, the rest of the Jetta lineup just gets minor tweaks and changes for the 2012 model year. This year, Volkswagen has bundled up some of its more requested standalone options into packages including a Sunroof package and a Convenience package. A newly available option for the 2012 Jetta is a Fender Guitar-branded and Panasonic-developed audio system.

Rather reserved in appearance compared to its predecessor, the Jetta carries over to 2012 with no exterior changes. The Jetta S comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, a black plastic grille, and black mirror caps. The Jetta SE also has 15-inch steel wheels (with 16-inch alloys an option), a black grille, and body color mirror caps. The Jetta SEL gains 17-inch alloy wheels and a chrome-accented grille. The Jetta TDI features five-spoke 16-inch wheels, body color mirrors, and a chrome-accented grille.

While the interior is generally attractive and well laid out on the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, during our First Test we came under the impression that “VW might have dipped into the company’s parts bins too many times.” We also noticed that the Jetta’s interior featured lower quality materials than VW had previously used on the Jetta: “The dash is covered in hard plastic; switchgear materials feel downmarket; and the leatherette seats won’t fool anyone.” On the plus side, we did find the cabin roomy, offering plenty of space for both front, and rear passengers. We also found the trunk offering plenty of cargo room (15.5 cubic feet).

With the Jetta GLI carrying the performance flag for the Jetta, the rest of the lineup doesn’t feature any barnburners. The 2012 Jetta continues to offer consumers three engines: a 2.0-liter I-4 producing 115 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque, a 170-hp 2.5-liter I-5 with 177 lb-ft of torque, and our favorite, the 140-hp 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 with 236 lb-ft of torque. In our testing, the Jetta TDI accelerated from 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds, while a 2.5-liter equipped model took 8.3 seconds. We found the Jetta TDI to have the strongest on-center steering feel, and all-around best steering feel, while the Jetta SEL we tested had an artificial steering feel.

There are no changes in regards to safety for 2012 model year Volkswagen Jettas. All Jettas still come standard with front, and front side mounted airbags, and side air curtain airbags in the front and rear. The 2012 Jetta also comes standard with ABS, electronic brake pressure distribution, hydraulic brake assist and an un-defeatable traction and electronic stability control system. The Jetta also features Volkswagen’s Intelligent Crash Response System, which will unlock the doors, turn off the fuel pump, and activate the Jetta’s hazard lights in the event the vehicle’s airbags are deployed.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$16,615

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$10,375

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

The reduced durability of the trailing arm may result in its sudden fracture, possibly causing loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Jetta vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, to November 30, 2012, and 2012-2013 Beetle vehicles manufactured March 1, 2011, to July 31, 2013. The durability of the rear trailing arms may be reduced in vehicles whose rear trailing arms have been previously deformed, such as a result of a rear or side-rear impact crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a sheet metal inlay on the rear axle trailing arms designed to prevent a sudden loss of control in the event of trailing arm sudden fracture, free of charge. The recall began April 7, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Units Affected

442066

Recall ID#11E036000 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

Consequence

IF THE TAILPIPE EXTENSION IS HOT DURING INADVERTENT CONTACT, A BURN COULD OCCUR.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS, PART NUMBER 1K0 071 910 U, SOLD AS ACCESSORY EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 JETTA SEDAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 18, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 22, 2011. THESE EXHAUST TIPS MAY EXTEND BEYOND THE ORIGINAL LENGTH OF THE FACTORY-INSTALLED EXHAUST PIPES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR INADVERTENT CONTACT TO OCCUR WITH A PERSON'S LEG.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST TIPS AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Units Affected

99322

Recall ID#14E007000 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Units Affected

50

Recall ID#11V490000 - FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Consequence

DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.

Remedy

VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Units Affected

168275

Recall ID#15V483000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Consequence

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

2012 Volkswagen Jetta News and Reviews

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